Medicinal plants: an asset against colorectal cancer?

By Ana Espino | Published on March 16, 2026 | 3 min read


Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, survival in metastatic disease remains limited. Therapeutic resistance, cumulative toxicity, and tumor heterogeneity represent major clinical challenges.  

In this context, interest in traditional medicine and phytotherapeutic compounds has increased. Many medicinal plants contain bioactive molecules capable of interacting with signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. However, their true role in CRC management remains debated due to the lack of standardization and robust clinical validation.